hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

a

: feeling an uneasy or painful sensation from lack of food : feeling hunger

b

: characterized by or characteristic of hunger or appetite

a wolf with hungry eyes

2

a

: eager, avid

hungry for affection

b

: strongly motivated (as by ambition)

hungry investors

a power-hungry politician

3

: not rich or fertile : barren

a hungry soil

hungrily

ˈhəŋ-grə-lē 

adverb

hungriness

ˈhəŋ-grē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of hungry

• starving
• starved

Examples of hungry in a Sentence

There are millions of hungry people throughout the world.

That girl is always hungry.

The prisoners' families were hungry for more information.

They were hungry to learn more.

Recent Examples on the Web

Outside the courtroom of this trial, traditional TV cameras sit side-by-side with cellphone cameras manned by new media journalists and commentators feeding an audience hungry, not just for true crime, but also for a look back in time. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

The elastic insult is meant to belittle the target as inauthentic, attention-hungry, unserious, and unmanly. — Erik Forrest Jackson, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

This cuisine is not for everyone, but nobody leaves the table hungry. — Johanna Wolfe, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

The reason that everyone is suddenly talking about Natalie Harp is because of speechwriting, an origin that seems almost arcane in the rhetoric-hungry electorate. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hungrig; akin to Old English hungor

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hungry

• go hungry

Kids Definition

hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

: feeling or showing hunger

2

: eager, avid

hungry for all the details

hungrily

-grə-lē 

adverb